Water Temperature and Burns/Scalds

It only takes seconds to burn

Children’s skin is sensitive and burns easily. To avoid burns:

• Put anti-scald devices on your faucets.
• Keep hot liquids like coffee or tea out of your child’s reach.
• Put down a cup of hot liquid before you pick up your child.
• Keep pots and pans on the back burner of the stove and turn handles in toward the stove.
• Keep electrical outlets covered if there isn’t already something plugged into them.

Bathtub safety

A child can drown within seconds and without making a sound in only a few centimeters (one inch) of water, and hot tap water can burn a young child in seconds. Share bath time fun with your child and follow these tips for safety:

• Always start and end with cold water when running a bath.
• Test the water temperature with your elbow before putting a child in the bath.
• Teach your child to always sit in the bathtub.
• Always stay with your child when she is in the bath, if you must leave the bathroom, even for a second, take her with you.